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Cooling system problems 850 1996

posted by  tmannian on  Tue Mar 29 13:32 CST 2011
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last visit: Sat Sep 20 10:31 CST 2014
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What temperature should the coolant be at under normal operating conditions?

Currently the ambient varies from 25-65F and my car likes to sit at about 221F. I assume this is high. The fan does come on high when the temp goes above this and brings it down to 221. From what I understand the thermostat is fully opened at 221, so it makes sense that the fan turns on above that. A/C has been gone for years, with the button on off so it shouldn't spin the fan up.

If its high, I'm not sure where to go next. I had a leaky radiator last summer and replaced with a new aftermarket. Perhaps it is not letting enough heat go? Otherwise, coolant and thermostat were replaced at the same time. The OBD is telling me the coolant temp so I assume the ECT is fine. The fan does operate which leads me to believe it and the relay are fine. If the fan should be on low from 190-221, it could be my problem.

I guess my next step would be to replace the radiator (this time with a junkyard one that I verify holds pressure) and see if that helps. The coolant at 221 is probably OK since it shouldn't boil until 275, however it does bubble into the overflow. As concerned as I am about the cooling system, the ATF side is what worries me more. I've got no real way to determine that the oil isn't cooking in it, until the temp trips an error. As I'm doing a reasonable amount of city/mountainous/off-road travel, I feel properly cooling the fluid would be a good idea..

--
If you're not driving it "like its stolen," are you really driving?








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    Cooling system problems 850 1996

    posted by  KlausC on  Tue Mar 29 14:28 CST 2011
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    last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
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    Did you replace the water pump with OEM? The coolant should not bubble, ever, which is an indication of a hot spot in the block.

    You might want to check the fins on the condenser for dirt. A high pressure cleaning might open up more air flow to the radiator.

    Klaus
    --
    Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.








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      Cooling system problems 850 1996

      posted by  tmannian on  Tue Mar 29 15:10 CST 2011
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      last visit: Sat Sep 20 10:31 CST 2014
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      To be honest, I can't remember what pump I put in there. I think OEM (from FCP), but I can't recall or find my papers on it. Bubble might have been a bad term as it doesn't appear to come up from the bottom, but it drips into it from the other "overflow" a bit when hot, and streams into it if you rev the engine.

      I've been contemplating of joining the A/C lines and just removing the condenser. Its been a while since I power washed it, but it appears to be relatively clear.
      --
      If you're not driving it "like its stolen," are you really driving?








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        Cooling system problems 850 1996

        posted by  KlausC on  Tue Mar 29 15:43 CST 2011
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        last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
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        Fluid shouldn't 'stream' when you get the rpm's up. You have a blockage.

        Get a P&P radiator if you can find one with out holes and give it a try...

        Klaus
        --
        Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.








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          Cooling system problems 850 1996

          posted by  tmannian on  Tue Mar 29 16:07 CST 2011
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          last visit: Sat Sep 20 10:31 CST 2014
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          You think the fluid is worth saving, or should I just replace? Its got about 9 months and 15k on it.
          --
          If you're not driving it "like its stolen," are you really driving?








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            Cooling system problems 850 1996

            posted by  KlausC on  Tue Mar 29 19:51 CST 2011
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            last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
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            Your money. It's not that old yet. I wonder if the radiator is blocked or some water channels in the block. Or a bad thermostat that won't open all of the way.

            Klaus
            --
            Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.








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    Cooling system problems 850 1996

    posted by  mbliss on  Tue Mar 29 13:48 CST 2011
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    last visit: Tue Oct 21 20:49 CST 2014
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    I doubt that a few degrees difference in the coolant is going to significantly affect the tranny fluid. Do you know the history of the water pump? Maybe that's lost some of its oomph. That's a real bother to replace since it's under the timing belt, but maybe now is the time to do them both :-(

    --
    '96 850T and '83 244 DL both at about 200K, '97 850T5; gone but not forgotten '81 245 and '64 Amazon








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      Cooling system problems 850 1996

      posted by  tmannian on  Tue Mar 29 13:57 CST 2011
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      last visit: Sat Sep 20 10:31 CST 2014
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      water pump replaced at 185k, cars at 225k, should still be good.

      I just figure possible shoddy craftsmanship on the coolant part would translate to the ATF part of the radiator too. So it might be 10-20 degrees hotter than it should be reducing the oil life.
      --
      If you're not driving it "like its stolen," are you really driving?







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